ON THIS DAY – May 5, 1924
The trial was concluded for John Norman Gray (21), who was charged with having murdered his wife, Veronica Mavis Gray, at Stawell on May 5. Mrs. Gray fell dead at their home as the result of a bullet wound, the rifle being allegedly held by her husband. Gray gave sworn evidence that he did not know that the rifle was loaded, when it exploded. He had put it to his shoulder and aimed it at both his mother-in-law and his wife. The jury returned a verdict of not guilty of murder, but guilty of manslaughter, with a strong recommendation to mercy. Gray was remanded for sentence.